#16
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Hi Peter,
There's Mojo and Karma involved here. Return it and get a new J-45. It might not be long before you will no longer have the chance to get a new J-45 so strike while the iron's hot. It's not about the money; send back any difference, explaining just that. |
#17
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No, I wouldn't "kill" to be in your position.
I think the ex-girlfriend has done you a kindness and cleared her own conscience. I really think it's kind of martyr-esque that you never bought another guitar in all these years. I mean, I get that you loved the J45, but if you really wanted to play wouldn't you have managed to get something else?
Accept the gift gracefully and learn to love the D18. There are worse things.
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Denise Martin HD-28V VTS, MFG Custom Taylor 358e 12 string Martin 00L-17 Voyage Air OM04 Breedlove Oregon Concert 1975 Aria 9422 |
#18
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Quote:
Which Guitar to flip it for or to keep it is something no one in this forum can answer better than u. Unless it plays poorly now hold onto it and make s change when u decide the D18 isn’t for u. Have u decided that already? Hans
__________________
1971 Papazian (swiss spruce/braz RW) 1987 Lowden L32p (sitka/ind RW) 1992 Froggy Bottom F (19th cent. german spruce/koa) 2000 Froggy Bottom H12c (adir/ind RW) 2016 Froggy Bottom K mod (adir/madrose; my son's) 2010 Voyage-Air VAOM-2C http://www.soundclick.com/hanstunes (recorded on Froggy H12c) |
#19
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First of all, I find it kind of incredible that there wasn't anything wrong with a random guitar from Amazon. I don't know what Amazon's track record is with guitars, but if they package them as poorly as they package the things I order I'm surprised it wasn't a pile of sawdust by the time it got to you.
I'm a little sentimental, so if I were in your shoes I'd keep that D18 forever. I view gifts like that as something that I should never let go of. I feel that way because I've received gifts that had sentimental value to me and for one reason or another I sold them or gave them away or whatever and regretted it. It's not something I want to repeat, so I try not to. That's just me though. On a practical note, Gibson quality has been up and down over the years, as has Martin. Gibson probably moreso. If you already have a good one in your hands, I'd be very hesitant to let it go. The tone of a guitar is impacted by more than just the guitar itself. String gauge and material are a huge contributor, as is the pick type and thickness that you use. If it's too bright for you at the moment, I'm sure some minor changes to strings or picks would give you a more pleasing result. I can't tell you whether or not to keep that particular guitar, but I can tell you that from my perspective, you absolutely need to keep that woman in your life. I assume there's a good reason you aren't together anymore, and maybe that's the way it should be and maybe not. You and her are the only ones that can answer those kinds of questions. But I would definitely do everything I could to keep someone as thoughtful and caring as she seems to be as close to me as possible, whatever that entails. Just my take on things. |
#20
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All great choices. I'd stick with the d18. It's now part of the story unless you feel you must have something different. The d18 is as much a lifetime guitar as any other you're open to.
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-Jon |
#21
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Well...you asked.
Keep it! That guitar has some serious good karma attached to it now. |
#22
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Hard to come by people like her who have a heart and conscience. Very thoughtful of her.
If I were you, I'd keep that D-18. Just because that would be the same guitar with a nice story behind it. I'm a sentimental person like that. As long as that d18 is good finally, and looks good, why not keep it? If you aren't much for sentiment, and are adamant for something else, act now. But I would find it awkward to say "hey, thanks, but I'd like something else" |
#23
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I prefer the J-45, but it doesn't matter what I think. In the end you will decide what to do. I will add that exchanging it is not rude, IMO. She spent a good amount of money and you should have what you want. I totally get not wanting to seem selfish or ungrateful by exchanging it...It would have been easier if she had asked before she bought it.
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#24
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Keep the D-18.
Reasons: Good Karma, great guitar. Get the girl back. Reason: You will never find a better heart. Greg Rappleye |
#25
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If you are bonding with the guitar - fantastic
If not, Write to her or call and express your profound appreciation and explain that you will be exchanging the guitar for one that matches what was lost. If there are any funds left over use it to buy her something or return the funds to her. That is a great problem to have.
__________________
David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#26
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jwellsy makes a good point about possible future jealousy from another girlfriend or spouse. But there's an easy way to deal with that - assuming that you don't have a girlfriend right now who'll be familiar with the story, simply don't mention how you got the guitar to any future sweethearts. Unless the woman you end up with is herself a musician, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
The reason for that is that vast majority of non-musicians, whether they're our sweethearts or not, are PROFOUNDLY disinterested in any origin stories about how and where we got any instruments that we own. They simply don't care, and why should they? Mentioning the story to future sweethearts complicates matters, though, obviously. It becomes less about the guitar itself and much more about the possibility of a lingering relationship with an ex-girlfriend, which IS a legitimate concern for anyone who gets involved with you. So while it isn't mandatory that you maintain utter silence on the story of how you acquired that guitar, I think you should give the matter some serious thought before you do reveal the details to any future romantic partner. Just a suggestion.... whm |
#27
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If you are learning to appreciate the D-18, I'd keep it. The story and the guitar are so good they belong together.
Although the J-45 is a great guitar, it's part of your past, and a new (or used) one today will never be the same as the one you lost. Heck, are you the same person after so many years? Time to move on. Consider this the real favor your ex has done you. |
#28
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My advice would be to turn the page and keep the D-18. It's amazing how we "remember" the sound of a guitar, only for it to sound differently than we initially remembered. Yours is a great story. This woman clearly has good memories of your time together.
Keep the D-18 and see if you can take her to dinner to say thanks. Just my 2 cents.
__________________
Santa Cruz D12-12 string, Ger. Maple/Ger. Spruce Froggy Bottom SJ12 Custom Spalted Maple/ Adirondack Petros GC Cocobolo/ German Spruce Emerald X-20 Custom SS Life's been good to me so far.... |
#29
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I would keep the guitar and one heck of a story.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#30
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